Newbie Question

E

Evany

Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
1,342
Hi, I been looking over (OK studying) the Spyderco threads for a week or so now trying to figure out which starter Spydie to buy. I wonder if anyone could help me out: I really like the Caly 3 CF PE, but I've never actually seen one My local hardware store has the Delica 4 and that seems pretty great. I've read that the Delica 4s have bronze bushings, replacement parts are available, and they seem to be a highly refined and perfected design. If I wanted a ZDP 189 blade, would I be better served (or as well served) with the ZDP version of the Delica or is the Cal3 3 a better choice for EDC use. Do the bushings matter? Is one knife more comfortable in the pocket? I take care of my knives, but I don't baby them, they do reasonable (sometimes not so reasonable) outdoor work as well as help out in the kitchen and the usual pocketknife chores of cutting packing materials and cardboard. Thanks in advance for the advice, it's been a pleasure reading the posts here.
 
Hello Evany, and welcome to the forum.

Either knife should serve you well. I have a D4W but haven't yet handled a Caly 3. I do have a Dragonfly which has a flat ground blade like the Caly, and there are some tasks that it outperforms the D4 on even though it's a smaller knife. . . Mainly slicing cardboard (I work in a warehouse and cut quite a bit of cardboard) and any small food prep tasks like slicing carrots or celery where the short length of the blade isn't a hindrance.

The bushings do make for a nice smooth feel to the opening and closing of the blade. They probably also add a bit of wear resistance, but honestly I doubt that you'd ever really wear out the G-10 around the pivot area on the Caly 3 anyway.

The Delica may be a bit more able to withstand those occasional "not so reasonable" outdoor tasks, and the ability to take it apart for cleaning if it gets really dirty is nice.

I guess in the end I'd recommend the Delica as your first Spydie, but you'll probably end up with both eventually anyhow, plus a few more as well.

Hope this helps somewhat in your decision.

-Chris
 
Id probably go for the Delica 4 in ZDP. Iv been carrying one for the last few months and its held up very well indeed. The VG-10 Delica 4 is also a nice knife and costs a bit less too.

You will end up getting both any way, its always the same ;):)
 
The Caly 3 blade is a laminate, 420J2 on the outside with a ZDP-189 core. The blade on the Delica is solid ZDP-189. Personally, I feel the thin flat grind on the Caly 3 shows the steel to better advantage than the thicker flat saber grind on the Delica. The Caly will outcut the Delica on almost any task. The Delica is definitely built heavier in the pivot area, and will withstand hard use better than the Caly, which Sal refers to as a "gentleman's knife". The solid ZDP also does not scratch easily, whereas the 420J2 cladding on the Caly blade will scratch very easily. In other words, if you like to keep your blades looking new, you will have to be much more careful with the Caly 3 than the Delica, but if you want a pocket scalpel, the Caly will be worth the extra care.
 
Good ideas from both replies to your post, especially from Yablanowitz. He has more experience than most people here when it comes to using (meaning- beating the crap out of) knives of different varieties of steel on a daily if not hourly basis. He EDCs somewhere between 400-450 knives (and other tools) in his pockets :D
What he says about the difference between the Caly vs. the Delica is bang on.
I would also suggest an alternative. Get the Endura in ZDP, and send it off to someone like Tom Krein for a regrind. Then you'd have an excellent, tough knife that's also an excellent slicer, easily the same as a Caly, and tougher.
 
Looks like I better get both. I like the regrind idea, too. I'm probably going to start with the D4, based on the above. Thanks for the responses.
 
My first spydie was a native.Probably one of the lowest priced s30v knives out there.I use it around the house..ie.cutting up boxes,twine,etc.Great lil' knife...just my .02
 
Just thought I'd complicate things. . .

I just bought my first Spyderco(s): a Tenacious and a Sharpmaker. Got both for at a Vancouver B&M store for a little over $100 CDN. Had budget not been an issue, I'd have got a Caly 3 rather than the Tenacious.

Personally, I prefer a flat-ground blade in a folding knife.

You might well be looking for a higher-end steel, so this might not be helpful. Anyhow, my initial impression of the Tenacious is positive. The build quality is there, although it was not as sharp as it could have been. . . maybe it's seen as more of a rough use knife? Doesn't bother me (like I said, I also got the Sharpmaker). Heck, I spend more time sharpening them than using them!
 
Grebo Guru said:
Just thought I'd complicate things. . .

I just bought my first Spyderco(s): a Tenacious and a Sharpmaker. Got both for at a Vancouver B&M store for a little over $100 CDN. Had budget not been an issue, I'd have got a Caly 3 rather than the Tenacious.

Personally, I prefer a flat-ground blade in a folding knife.

You might well be looking for a higher-end steel, so this might not be helpful. Anyhow, my initial impression of the Tenacious is positive. The build quality is there, although it was not as sharp as it could have been. . . maybe it's seen as more of a rough use knife? Doesn't bother me (like I said, I also got the Sharpmaker). Heck, I spend more time sharpening them than using them!
Click to expand...

I like the 8Cr13MoV of the Tenacious (and Byrds) but it is nowhere near the level of ZDP-189 for edge-holding ability. It makes a great beater, as it doesn't chip readily and holds an edge much better than most companies' low-end steel (and better than some companies' top-end steel). The Byrds especially are inexpensive enough that you can beat one up without feeling bad about it.

sixfoot7 said:
Good ideas from both replies to your post, especially from Yablanowitz. He has more experience than most people here when it comes to using (meaning- beating the crap out of) knives of different varieties of steel on a daily if not hourly basis. He EDCs somewhere between 400-450 knives (and other tools) in his pockets :D
What he says about the difference between the Caly vs. the Delica is bang on.
I would also suggest an alternative. Get the Endura in ZDP, and send it off to someone like Tom Krein for a regrind. Then you'd have an excellent, tough knife that's also an excellent slicer, easily the same as a Caly, and tougher.
Click to expand...

A slight exaggeration. I seldom carry more than twenty knives at a time ;) :D

The regrind is a good idea. I haven't carried my stock ZDP Endura since my Krein flat-ground ZDP Endura arrived. It makes a world of difference. I've been considering sending him a ZDP Delica or two for the same treatment.
 
Tom Krein is a custom maker who does a lot of flat grinds for people. When I had him do one, he was charging $35 for the grind and $7 for shipping, but that was almost a year ago. The price could be more now.

You can contact him via email or private message through Bladeforums. Here is a link to his profile (I hope ;))
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/member.php?u=126139
 
I ordered a Delia 4 ZDP, PE. When it gets here I may opt for the regrind, but I think I'm going to want to keep it around for a while first.
 
Evany-got bit by the bug about 7-8 months ago. The first one was a caly 3 zdp189 and I would highly recommend that that be your next purchase. It really is an excellant knife. It would be a little more refined than the delica and is a real cutter. I have had it since last july and finally had to sharpen it about a month ago - zdp really holds an edge. Be prepared to spend a great deal of money with Spyderco, because it is impossible to just have one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top